“I must say this Season is turning far more interesting than I was expecting,” Ethel said, her gaze settled on her grandsons’ retreating backs. “I must also note that I’ve never known a lady to make an impression on society as quickly as Gwendolyn’s done.” Ethel shook her head. “I find her somewhat intimidating, but truth be told, she’s one of the most exceptional ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. It’s not just anyone who can take on a society matron like Opal Brinley, live to tell the tale, and win the skirmish in the end, something Gwendolyn most assuredly achieved.”
“I think Miss Brinley is wonderful,” Priscilla said before she held up her arms and grinned when Walter immediately picked her up.
As they strode after everyone, Walter found he couldn’t disagree with Priscilla’s assessment, nor could he disagree with his mother’s belief that Gwendolyn was an exceptional lady, especially when that was exactly what he’d begun to surmise about her as well.
Twenty-Eight
During the week and a half since Gwendolyn’s confrontation with her grandmother—something she’d not discussed except to say it had been long overdue—Walter had found himself attending so many society events they’d become a blur. The sheer number lent credence to the notion Gwendolyn hadn’t been jesting when she’d told him she was committed to finding him a perfect match.
Unfortunately, even though he barely had time to breathe these days, he’d yet to enjoy anything other than amiable encounters with any of the ladies he spent time with, a situation Gwendolyn claimed was beyond frustrating. Her frustration had then led to her coming up with a new plan—one where she now insisted he dance more than three dances at every ball he attended. She’d also told him, in a tone that brokered no argument, he was going to accompany ladies to Bailey’s Beach every day, escort a variety of ladies out and about on afternoon drives, and then join different ladies for dinner during evening events. To top it off, she’d demanded he do all that while maintaining an agreeable attitude.
It had taken a herculean effort to resist telling her that her demands were not leaving him feeling affable in the least, especially when his ridiculously busy schedule left little time to spend with Gwendolyn, except for the hour every day she set aside for them to discuss his agenda.
He found himself looking forward to that hour more than any of the events she arranged for him.
The only time he’d spent with her when they weren’t discussing his itinerary was when she’d attended church with him and the children the previous Sunday. To his satisfaction, she’d not invited anyone to join them except Catriona, who’d drawn her fair share of attention when she’d sauntered into Trinity Church looking resplendent in a gown she’d picked up in Paris.
Oddly enough, after his mother had made a point of inviting Catriona to her ball, instead of finding herself ostracized, as so many people did when they attempted to breach the walls of Newport high society, Catriona was now receiving invitations to other society events.
Ethel had mentioned that Gwendolyn appreciated her assistance in making certain Catriona was included in society events because Gwendolyn didn’t have a spare moment to devote to entertaining her cousin. Frankly, she barely had a moment to sleep, what with how Mrs. Parker had agreed to sponsor Mr. Russell Damrosch, Mr. Thurman Chandler, and of course, Mr. August Ryerson.
August wasn’t a drain on Gwendolyn’s time, because he was completely smitten with Miss Hannah Howe, and from what Walter had observed, she was just as smitten with him.
That successful match was exactly why more gentlemen were clamoring to get Mrs. Parker’s agreement to sponsor them, and why Gwendolyn now found herself in high demand, the risk of her grandmother threatening to give her the cut direct apparently a distant memory, especially since Opal Brinley had quietly departed Newport mere hours after her confrontation with her granddaughter.
“We weren’t expecting you to return until five, Mr. Townsend,” Benson, his butler, said as Walter walked through the front door of Sea Haven. “Were you not enjoying the company of . . . Was it Miss Suzette Tilden today, or was your early return due to the storm clouds gathering offshore?”
“Miss Tilden was pleasant enough company,” Walter said, handing Benson his hat. “But I overheard Samuel discussing plans to build Rat a new home, and I wasn’t willing to forgo assisting him merely to drive down Bellevue Avenue and greet people I’m beginning to see far too often.”
“Honestly, Walter,” Gwendolyn said, drawing his attention as she glided down the curved staircase, pausing on the last step to settle a frown on him. “Did you not think to invite Suzette to Sea Haven to help with Rat’s new home?”
He felt his lips begin to curve, which was rather curious considering she was clearly put out with him. “Of course I asked her, but Suzette declined, mentioning something about needing to return to her cottage early because of the Chandler dinner party tonight.”
“Hmmm . . .” was all Gwendolyn said to that, stepping from the staircase and moving his way, her frown turning into a scowl when she stopped in front of him. “But did I hear you tell Benson you had a pleasant drive with Suzette?”
“Are you going to launch into another lecture about the word pleasant if I admit that’s exactly how I felt about my afternoon drive?”
“Pleasant is a word one should reserve for when a person enjoys tea with their elderly aunt,” Gwendolyn returned. “It is not a term I want to hear time and again when you return from outings I’ve scheduled for you.”
“Pleasant is not a bad word.”
“It is when you’re talking about a potential match. With that said, I believe it’s time to take Suzette off your list once and for all.”
“Because I merely had a pleasant afternoon with her?”
“No, because you mentioned the children are involved with a project and she didn’t leap at the opportunity to help.” She blew out a breath. “Dare I hope your morning at Bailey’s Beach was more exciting than your drive with Suzette? You met up with . . . I’m afraid I’ve forgotten.”
“I was supposed to meet up with Miss Bowen, a lady I’ve not spoken with much, but she apparently came down with a cold and sent one of her footmen to tell me she wouldn’t be there. That allowed me to spend a very enjoyable morning with my mother and Catriona—an odd couple if there ever was one, but they seem to enjoy each other’s company. They were very gracious about letting me join them, even sharing the shade from their umbrella.”
To his surprise, Gwendolyn rolled her eyes. “May I assume Catriona spent her time questioning you about a variety of ladies?”
“Not at all. She didn’t ask me a single question, although she did impart a variety of opinions she’s formed about ladies she’s spoken with. She doesn’t believe Tillie Wickham would suit me at all because she’s convinced that lady would take a militant approach to keeping the children physically active, and she is wary about Suzette because she believes that lady may be flighty.” Walter rubbed his chin. “Truth be told, I’m not sure why your cousin was telling me all those tidbits.”